How long does royal mail keep undelivered parcels for

Royal Mail, the UK's postal service, has a standard retention period for undelivered parcels, which varies depending on the type of parcel and the circumstances. Here are some general guidelines:

  1. Standard Parcels: Royal Mail typically retains undelivered standard parcels for 12 months from the date of posting. If the parcel is not collected or delivered within this timeframe, it will be returned to the sender.
  2. Signed For Parcels: For signed-for parcels, Royal Mail retains them for 12 months from the date of posting. If the parcel is not collected or delivered within this timeframe, it will be returned to the sender.
  3. Special Delivery Parcels: For Special Delivery parcels, Royal Mail retains them for 12 months from the date of posting. If the parcel is not collected or delivered within this timeframe, it will be returned to the sender.
  4. International Parcels: For international parcels, Royal Mail typically retains them for 12 months from the date of posting. However, this retention period may vary depending on the destination country's customs regulations and the type of parcel.
  5. Unclaimed Parcels: If a parcel is unclaimed at a Royal Mail sorting office or delivery point, it will be retained for a maximum of 3 months. After this period, the parcel will be returned to the sender or disposed of according to Royal Mail's procedures.

It's essential to note that these retention periods may vary depending on specific circumstances, such as:

If you're concerned about an undelivered parcel, you can contact Royal Mail's customer service team to inquire about its status and potential retention period.